According to the National Institute of Mental Health, up to 13% of adolescents develop an eating disorder by age 20. At least 22% of children and adolescents worldwide show disordered eating. These conditions pose significant physical and psychological challenges, profoundly affecting an individual's quality of life and overall well-being as well as that of their whole family system.
Understanding this, the Kahm Center for Eating Disorders in Burlington has recognized the need for a dedicated Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in Vermont.
Designed with a comprehensive approach, family-centered approach rooted in Family-Based Treatment (FBT), the Adolescent IOP aims to provide patients ages 10 and up and their caregivers with the tools, structure, and support necessary to foster lasting recovery.
An IOP for eating disorders is a structured treatment program designed for individuals who can’t access or don't require the continuous monitoring of a residential or inpatient setting, but need more intensive care than weekly therapy sessions. IOP is also ideal for those stepping down from a higher level of care, such as a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP).
With significant parent involvement, adolescents ages 10 and up in the Kahm Center IOP spend several hours each treatment day engaging in age-appropriate therapeutic activities with therapists, dietitians, and peers.
The program runs three hours per day, three days per week, offering a balanced schedule that supports both recovery and integration into school and family life.
To learn more about "What is Outpatient Treatment for Eating Disorders," visit our comprehensive page that dives deeper into the outpatient levels of care.
IOP offers several advantages for adolescents and caregivers navigating eating disorder recovery:
Seeking treatment for an eating disorder is more than a step toward personal growth—it's often a life-saving decision. The serious medical and psychological risks of eating disorders can lead to life-threatening complications like malnutrition, starvation, and other health-related consequences, underscoring the urgency of finding effective treatment. The Adolescent IOP at the Kahm Center offers a firm foundation for healing and lifelong well-being. By embracing this structured yet flexible program, adolescents and caregivers experience a unique blend of professional support and personal empowerment.
This synergy often becomes the cornerstone of long-term success in battling eating disorders. Through therapy, real-world application, and peer support, IOP is a beacon of hope and transformation for many.
The intensive outpatient program at The Kahm Center for Eating Disorders provides individualized care for adolescents ages 10+ experiencing all different subtypes of eating disorders. Treatment plans are customized to meet individual needs, and based on the type of eating disorder that is diagnosed:
Our adolescent IOP is built around the family. Your teen continues to live at home, attend school, and spend time with friends, while receiving specialized treatment. Parents and caregivers play an essential role throughout treatment at The Kahm Center. We see you as your child’s most important ally in recovery.
Our program is rooted in family-based treatment (FBT), the most well-researched approach for adolescent eating disorders. We also integrate cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to help families learn the skills needed for lasting recovery.
Research on FBT highlights several important advantages:
At the Kahm Center, families receive comprehensive support throughout treatment. Our adolescent IOP includes individual therapy, adolescent and family-based group therapy, and support groups for both teens and their caregivers. A registered dietitian works with your family to develop meal guidelines and provides education on the role of nutrition in recovery. Your treatment team is available when challenges come up, so you can apply what you learn to real-life situations.
As your teen becomes stronger, we help your family gradually return age-appropriate independence around food. Together, adolescents and families build healthy coping skills and a healthier relationship with food.
The Metabolic Testing at the Kahm Center for Eating Disorders gives us an extremely accurate picture of what your caloric needs are. With the Body Composition Analysis, we can see exactly how well you are adhering to the meal plan and how well you are recovering. This enables us to have meal oversight approaching 24hr care, which is far superior to other IOP programs. And when your brain is better nourished, therapy and medications work better, improving overall clinical outcomes.
Children/adolescents will complete metabolic testing upon admission and ongoing monthly. Metabolic testing measures your metabolic rate, which is the amount of energy your body uses over a given period. At the Kahm Center, we use indirect calorimetry, the gold-standard method for measuring metabolic rate.
This technology calculates energy expenditure by analyzing how much oxygen is inhaled and carbon dioxide is exhaled. Because oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production are directly proportional to energy use, these measurements provide a precise understanding of how the body converts food and drink into energy. In essence, we breathe because our bodies require oxygen for metabolism, and without it, energy production cannot occur.
The body relies on three primary fuel sources: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Each plays a vital role in maintaining health and supporting essential functions. Metabolic testing reveals how efficiently the body utilizes these fuels, helping determine whether an individual is receiving adequate nourishment.
Children/adolescents will complete a body composition analysis once a week. A body composition analysis (BCA) measures key indicators of internal health, including muscle mass, lean tissue (such as organs), body fat, total body water, bone mineral content, and cell health (phase angle). Unlike traditional metrics such as weight or BMI, BCA provides a comprehensive view of how the body is functioning.
At Kahm Center, BCA is conducted using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), which is a quick and non-invasive method. During the test, small electrodes are placed on the hand and foot, sending an undetectable electrical current through the body. The process takes only a few seconds and yields highly detailed data that guide individualized nutrition and recovery plans.
BCA offers critical insights into whether nutritional intake is sufficient to maintain essential lean tissue (including muscle and organ health), whether hydration levels are balanced, and whether cells are functioning efficiently. These data points provide tangible evidence that helps clinicians make informed treatment decisions while empowering children/adolescents and caregivers to stay actively engaged in their recovery.
Eating disorders are often underdiagnosed and undertreated due to systemic biases related to body size, age, race, gender, and other factors. BCA provides objective, validating evidence of the physiological impact of disordered behaviors, regardless of physical presentation, helping ensure children and adolescents receive appropriate care.
Choosing the appropriate level of care is a crucial aspect of the recovery journey. The decision for IOP, or any level of care, is based on a comprehensive clinical assessment conducted by experienced eating disorder providers.
An IOP may be recommended when the individual needs more support than traditional outpatient therapeutic and nutritional services can provide, but doesn't require the medical monitoring or structure of an inpatient or residential level of care. It offers a balance of therapeutic support and real-life practice, allowing adolescents to remain engaged in their daily lives while receiving specialized care. The primary aim of IOP is to provide a conducive environment for patients to foster a healthier relationship with food and their bodies.
At The Kahm Center, every treatment recommendation is individualized. Our multidisciplinary team carefully evaluates each teen's needs, strengths, and recovery goals to determine the most appropriate level of care. We are committed to providing personalized, evidence-based treatment that supports lasting healing and recovery.
The first and only treatment center in Vermont, the Kahm Center for Eating Disorders is committed to providing compassionate, specialized, and evidence-based care for adolescents and families affected by eating disorders. Our IOP empowers adolescents to build a healthier relationship with food and their bodies. IOP provides the structure, support, and guidance needed to navigate the challenges and triggers of recovery while providing support with their real-life experiences. Our goal is to help adolescents develop resilience, strengthen their support system, and create meaningful lives beyond the eating disorder.
If you or a loved one is seeking structured support for an eating disorder, consider the many advantages of the Kahm Center's Intensive Outpatient Program and our eating disorder services.
Nick Kahm, a former philosophy faculty member at St. Michael's College in Colchester, VT, transitioned from academia to running the Kahm Clinic with his mother. He started the clinic to train dietitians in using Metabolic Testing and Body Composition Analysis for helping people with eating disorders. Now, he is enthusiastic about expanding eating disorder treatment through the Kahm Center for Eating Disorders in Vermont.
